Mint asks for answers it wants to hear

By Glen McClary

I have a few remarks about the Mint survey I received and completed yesterday. I have been a U.S. Mint purchaser since the early 1970s.

For decades I purchased anywhere from two to five proof and mint sets and then started the proof silver American Eagle dollars starting in 1986 as well as many commemorative dollar and half sets.

In the last few years, with the realization of declining value, I have reduced my collection to one of each, selling off the rest at a loss. I have invested that money in tenth-ounce gold and a newly started Morgan collection.

When I saw the request to do the survey, I was hoping that it might ask me about my collecting and inquire about my thoughts and feelings about the Mint. The survey started out in that direction but quickly moved to ask about future items to be put in sets or sold singly and would I purchase.

The survey less than gently directed me to answer questions in a way that did NOT reflect what I wanted to say and more (in my opinion) to try to support items the Mint is going to create and sell. In addition, the choice of answers limited how I responded or didn’t match what I wanted to say.

It felt like the Mint wanted to predetermine the answers from the public.

Like many readers, I have come to believe the Mint has become the government cash cow with rising prices not reflecting either the quality or metal values in the coins of the times.

I will still make my few purchases to keep the collection in sequence, but more and more I will buy on the secondary market and save money.

The Mint would be wise to inquire in their future surveys about the true feelings of their buyers as well as potential future items on the horizon. There is much conversation about the Mint, some not so positive.

As we read in Numismatic News, many are unhappy with the direction of the Mint and its products.

How do other readers feel about the latest survey or past Mint surveys?

Are you really being asked the right questions?

Can Mint surveys ask the tough questions, and will the coin buying public be heard?

As always, Numismatic News leads the way!

This “Viewpoint” was written by Glen McClary, a hobbyist from Satellite Beach, Fla.

To have your opinion considered for Viewpoint, write to David C. Harper, Editor, Numismatic News, 5225 Joerns Drive, Suite 2, Stevens Point WI, 54481. Send email to david.harper@fwmedia.com.